Taylor Schneider helps Kelsie Schroll with her push-up test. Both girls did more than 20 push-ups, surpassing the test goal of 18.
Nick Will - Oneida Daily Dispatch

The City of Oneida Police Department High School Intern Program gives teenagers a chance to not only gauge interest in a law enforcement career, but also stay physically fit.

Oneida City Police Officer Steven Lowell is among those who run the program during the school year, and has been in charge of the program for about four years.

Lowell says that during the school year, students meet regularly to discuss various aspects of law enforcement. The meetings give students who are interested in the field an opportunity to get information about different careers in law enforcement.

“We do some book work and some hands-on practical things as topics permit. Coupled with these meetings, they do ride-alongs on a rotating schedule with our agency to reinforce what we talk about during the meetings,” Lowell said. “This summer we are doing physical training with the kids on Saturday mornings at the high school track.”

Advertisement

Lowell said the Saturday morning activity demonstrates that physical fitness is an important life skill.

“We stress the importance of being physically fit on duty and why it’s important for them to start to becoming physically fit now,” Lowell added. “Eventually, in order to be employed, they will have to pass a psychical fitness test to obtain a job in law enforcement.”

On Saturday, there were three participants in a mock-physical fitness test. All said they were interested in careers in law enforcement.

“This is what I want to do when I grow up,” said 16-year-old Taylor Schneider, whose father works as a correctional officer. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to work in law enforcement.”

Schneider said she is interested in being a patrol officer, and has participated in ride-alongs with Oneida Police Department patrol units.

“I’ve always considered a future in law enforcement,” said 17-year-old Chris Spencer. “I’m not sure what I want to do, but I always thought it would be cool to become an officer. This program was a great opportunity to see what it’s all about.”

Both students said physical fitness was important to them before the program.

During the physical fitness test, all participants made or exceeded the goals set by the test guidelines. For girls, this meant 35 sit-ups and 18 push-ups. For guys, it was 41 sit-ups and 25 push-ups. Lowell said this is a norm across most law enforcement agencies and military branches, and that the disparity is due to differences in average physiology and upper-body strength between the sexes.

“This is the most dedicated group we’ve had,” Lowell said.

This summer, Lowell said he had around five students.

“We fluctuate in numbers, but we usually have about 10 students a year in the program,” Lowell said. “Just now in my career I’m starting to see former high school interns and college interns that have rode along with me in the past starting to get jobs in policing. This, in and of itself, is rewarding for me.”

When Lowell was in high school, he also participated in the program beginning in his freshman year and continuing after.

“I enjoy working with these students because I was once in their position and can appreciate their interest in law enforcement. When I was in the program, I enjoyed learning from seasoned police officers,” Lowell said, adding that what he learned in the program helped guide his future career choices.

Lowell feels community-based programs like this are important by giving police a chance to interact with citizens to get a grasp on community issues.

About the Authors

Jolene Cleaver is a staff writer at the Oneida Dispatch. Her coverage focuses on crime, government and community events. Reach the author at jcleaver@oneidadispatch.com
.

Until December, 2014, Nick will was a staff writer at the Oneida Daily Dispatch. Hailing from Madison. Nick is a 2012 SUNY Plattsburgh graduate. In his time at The Dispatch, he focused on education, history and community events coverage in Madison and Southern Oneida counties. Reach the author at nwill@oneidadispatch.com
or follow Nick on Twitter: @DispatchNick.